“I just think this is just one of those years,’’ said Jamison before Sunday's playoff opener against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. “You had Dirk (Nowitzki) who wasn’t healthy, and they made a transition with a lot of new players.

“Anybody who knows Mark Cuban, this is not one of those situations where they’re going to continue to not make the playoffs. I just think it’s one of those seasons where his star was hurt and the transition of different of players.’’

The Mavs won the NBA title two years ago, were swept in four games by Oklahoma City in the first round of the playoffs last year, and finished this non-playoff season with a 41-41 record.

Jamison knows Cuban is holed up in a room somewhere mapping out a new strategy for success.

“Two years ago they were the champs and now they didn’t make the playoffs,’’ Jamison said. “But that’s not doing anything but adding fuel to the fire with Mark.

“He’s going to figure it out, he’s going to get them even tougher next year. In the next couple of years they’re going to be another powerhouse -- like always.’’